Fountain implement



Aug. 31, 1943. J. H. BAIR 1 2,328,048

' v FOUNTAIN IMPLEMENT 1,

Filed June 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F- ql 'l' "3o n y Y 1,-1-4

Snventor Julian H. Bar

. 4o @wth-M attorneys Aug. 31, 1943. J, H BNR' 2,328,048

FOUNTAIN IMPLEMENT Filed June' 17, 1941 2 sneets:-:neet 2 d' lllgngnm 3! Flqi.

nventor Julian II. Bair ling the'iiow of liquid Patented Aug. 3l, 1943 roundup: IMPLEMENT Jillianillr Bair, Seattle, Wash.` applicati@ June'l i7, 1941, seriaiNo. 398,370

, Myinventioin `relslates to brushes devices of the fountain type in whichdetergents,

oil, or other treating liquidis storedtin'the` hani `dlejand is dispensed as needed, `and inffthe quan- U tity deslred,\to the working end ofthe instrument. The construction employedin my dispens` ing mechanism is adaptablegto implements for various purposes,` `such as for;V a toothbrush, a shaving brush,la paint orlettering brush, an oil dispenser,` or a popular, and range from freely flowing liquids to viscuous liquids which flow very sluggishly. When liquid dentifrices are pouredoutfof theircontanersl onto` the bristles `of. a` toothbrushpa `con-` siderable amount of `the `liquid, ordinarily is wasted by flowing through; the` bristles and oil? the sides of the brush. If asmall enough; amount of liquid dentifrice is placed on the brush to avoidsuch wastage, the bristles will not be uniformlysaturated,` `and some of them will notleven bedarnp-` ened..` `,Economy of use` `of liquid dentlfricedicf tates the `employment. of a fountain type of brush; but these have `not `been popular because of `the presence of defectsin the constructionyor operation .of i suchY toothbrushes. For the ,i most partxthey :have been ungainly in appearance and awkward to handle, or` contained such a small `amountof liquid that `frequent filling was necessary. The construction employed for controlfrom the handle` tothe head was such that eitherleakage of liquid from one or both ends ofthereservoiroccurred whenl p delivery was not' desired,` or its was, diflicult to dispense the liquid from the handle to the head mechanism `which I have devised has overcome these defects and ,deficiencies` In general, the mechanism which I employ for, im.; plexnents such astoothbrushesincludes a frustol conicalhandle tapered from a relatively ,large diameter at`its` butt end to a small diameter at thelend` connected to the 'head1 This cor'istruc tion provides l f maximum 'storage space besides lbeing of pleasingstreamlinedfshapej but such tapered form is not necessary'and insome instruments is not preferred. A positive dispensing action is produced by the provision ofa loosely tion within the handle. springurged the plunger away from` theldischarge tube communicatingwith the headbut it may be moved towadthe` tubelinbpposition to cleaning brush suitable for use `incleaning business machines, computing ma-J chinesandthe like.` f i.:

`. Liquid dentifrices have become increasingly for interchangeable` use skiaims, (c1. 11s-137) I and `similar the spring pressure upon a Vbutton at thebutt end ofthe handle secured `upon a rod fixed to the plunger, to` force-liquidout; of thehandle to the head. when sumcient liquid' has thus been dispensed, the piston may be threadedly engaged with the discharge tube, to serve as afsealing cap. Further; ow of liquid from head is thus positively prevente `1x1-ometto utilize mostreffecuveiy the liquid supplied tothe toothbrush head a sump is provided `Whichnextendslengthwise between rowsoi bristles located along each side of the head. lFurthermore these bristles are preferably inclined toward each other, sothat their outerendsare interwoven to form anarch over` the sump. The dentifrice, ,in` the sump when thebrush is held with the bristles projecting upward, willdow along them to-theirouter `ends when theV brush is inverted` inbrushing the teeth` Moreover, the b h may be laid down after the sump hasbeen il' ed with dentifrice without risk of its being spilled by the brush tipping over, because the back ofthe head is rounded and disposed incontinuation ;of; an element of the frustoconical handle.` Even'ifthe brush is tilted when laid down, as` soon as freed it will rollintoposition with the bristles uprightand thereafter will `remain inzthat attitude.,y l y i Because of the positiveejection of liquid from the brush; handle, and the` sealing `ofthe :passage to the brush head at other times,` the ysame handle and dispensing mechanism isl wellsuited for l use as the handle', of `a cleaning brush or oiler. In fact, the `cleaning brush y able `to convert the instrument into an oiler, or different` types of brush on the same handle.`

l `lyIechanisrn-of`the sanrievgeneralv `typeis also suitable for incorporation `in `a fountain shaving brush. V'I'he handleldescribed above would not j ordinarily `be used Vin suchinstance, however, for

fitting plunger or piston adaptedfor reciproca-` i In unlocked position a portion anda shaving brush handles are conventionally mulch` f shorter and larger in` diameter. Equal, or 'even greater, storage capacityqcan` therefore be obtained in ahandle of this type without increasy 4ing itsflength. or diameter suiniehly to be awk'- ward. Other; large` brushes l of the fountain' type j p `The dispensiiig may be` similarly constructed.

semble `that used inthe `'tapered handle.-It"`is A preferable, however, `that lthere be` an l"abrupt .f

change in` diameter between the main lreservoir tube. Tol facil atefdeliverylfrom sucht` "'treser-` lvoir` avsupplemental `pistonfor plunger, loosely the handle Vto the l head maybe -removheads may be yprovided bore adjacent to the kdischarge as shown'in Figure a fitting vwithin the larger bore portion, may be provided to feed the liquid soapor other stored liquid into the small bore and around the smaller piston for flow through the discharge tube.

It will be evident that my dispensing mechanism enables liquid, even of high viscosity, to be discharged positively from a reservoir of large capacity by a simple manipulation, and the user at all times may control accurately both` the amount Vand rate of `liquid dispensed. lBetween dispensing operations ythe reservoir is sealed positively to prevent leakage. The mechanism required, however, is inexpensive to manufacture,r including few parts of simple design. The `handle is preferably made of suitable plastic mate? rial. f

Itis not essential that the brush or dispensing preferable in most cases. The reservoir may then be lled at theyfactory 'and the handle sold asav liquid-container.' The purchaser needf merely removethe brush or dispensinglfhead from Aan not bother withfrellingythus"saving'timeand avoiding` the possibility of f wastefully/ spilling liquid. CommerciallyA spilling is avoided byusing a suitablemachine for' lling :the handles. IIt is further `intended that the reservoirs-be made of transparent material so that the usermay know at a glance --when it has been emptied.y

-Rrepresentativeforms` of'brush and kdispensing 'heads are shown in the drawings butfit will Abe evident that other types of heads,` as mentioned previously, maybe used with my fountain mechanism, having features :similar vktoi-those in the constructionsillustrated. Figure 1 isa side elevation viewof my toothbrush turned on itsside,while Figure 2 isa side elevation `=of l the ysame y'toothbrush lying on its back. Figure is a transverse section takenlon line 3-3-of Figure 2. Figure lis `a longitudinal section online- 4--4 "of'Figurevl'. Figure 5 is a similar longitudinal section fshowing parts in a different operative position; Figure 6-is aitransverse section taken yon*y line iii-6 of Figure 4, 1and Figure 7 isanother transverse section along line 'l-l of Figure 4. f Y

FigureB isa side elevationview of lnay-reservoir handle showingl an Oilin-gspOut attachedlgpart of thehandle being broken awaytofshow thel interior mechanism, 'f y Figure 9 is a side elevation viewshowing vone type'of brush head yattached to theoilingvspout of Figure '8. rFigure-10l is a planfvie'wof a cle-aning brush 'head 'attached to an oilingispout such iffin placeupon the handle, 'and Figure 1l is a side elevation'view ofthe brush shown vifi-Figure 10, the head-being in vsection. f

Figure 12 is a side'elevation view of a shaving brush incorporatingmy invention, and Figure 13 isa longitudinal section .taken on linel3l3.of

` Figure :12. Figure `14 is' a longitudinal section similar to Figure 13, ishowingparts ina different yFigure -15 isa transverse 16 is vva transverse section along'line"Nil-Mi of Figurel. f' l Y H The operating'mechanism` for dispensing rliquid from the ,handler eservmrto the applicator head in- Aeach Yc'as'einclud'es a--forcef-eed plunger "lli f head be separable yfrom the handle, butA this is' serve as guides for the plunger or piston 2 from. the reservoir. proper to the bore i vnelsV-"IBy in Icommunication with Ibore '|0.

and operating mechanism therefor, which is normally urged away from the head or passage communicating therewith. vIn the dispensing mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 11, inclusive, the

reservoir takes the form of a tapered handle l whichis preferably made of transparent plastic material. Within a bore I0, of uniform diameter, in the smaller end of this handle loosely fits the piston or plunger 2, which is reciprocable lengthwise of such bore. Ribs I2vextend along the inner wall of the reservoirtoward the larger end of the handle with their inner surfaces in continuation of the wall of bore Iii. Thus these ribs as it is-inserted into the handle or upon being re- ;-tracted from the bore lil to the position shown in Figure 5V. Four of these ribs are shown, al-

though three would be sufficient to provide the necessaryy guiding action. Passageways I3 between the ribs, and circumventing the plunger 2 when inthe position of-Figure 5,*.will rbe4 afforded urne-of `liquid approximately equal to. that .displaced by `theplungerduring its retracting movement-will be forced through these openings into the bore lahead of .the plunger.

Linear movement of the'plunger. l2 is insured by providingI a stem 20'- havingfone end riveted' or otherwise suitablyssecured `to the piston, and its opposite end guided in acollar 2lv formed as an integral -part of plugin, which closes the larger end of y its-dispensing end. This plug is preferably made of plastic material similar to vthat of which the handle is constructed, but it may bev made of rubber or- `other suitable material. be merely wedged intothe h-andleend as a vstopper,l or itmay be secured more positivelyinplace by an-adhesive joint,v or by complementally threadingthehandle end and plug.

Anoperatingbuttonor disc 23er a diameter substantially equal `to that lof the plug 22, or larger endofthe handle I, is secured to the. end of rod 20. Between this button andlguide collar v2l is interposedv a compression spring 24. encircling rod 20, and received within. a` bore 25, formed centrally in the plug 22. yThe principal purpose of this spring is,V by reacting against lbuttonv 23, to force it outward from the positionv of Figure` 4 tov that oft-Figure 5, whereby the rod 20 'and plunger 2 will he withdrawn to place chan- The spring ,24eserves the additional-purpose, however, of'r holding a packing discZi-of f-elt, or similar material, againstthe outer face-oi guide lcollar 2l to'prevent seepageof-liquid from the reservoir through the guide-aperture, -randto wipe the rod 20 free from liquid each time it is'projected into the position of Figure 5. A pocket clip 2l may be attached either to button 23, to plug22, or to handle l' to' retain the implement in a clothing pocket. 4Preferably the clip visiattacl'ied toithe button23 so 'that the handle will not Yproject appreciably beyond thepocket edge. vWhen carried in this manner a suitable case would be provided tocover the brush head so, that .it` willnot come into contact with'the clothing.

o. Avoithe handle reservoir. remote from The plug may the tube forms a ,When-the y ,Previously described.

projects through the wall Il into ythe handle bore l0, as shown in Figures 4'and`54fThefad-` jacentiside of plunger 2 is providedwith a cavity threaded internally complementa] tothe thread onwtube 3,` so that by pressing button 23 inward against spring` 24`and `simultaneously `revolving fr it the plunger `may `be screwed onto; the tube end in the manner `shown in` FigureA, to `serve as a. cap positivelyseveringithe connection `between `the handle reservoir `and. `thendischarge tube@` l e e `2,328,018 In this position the unen'ibedded end of the tube position which` these .partsfassume in Figure 15,

, during which movement dentifrice is forced around the plunger throughthe channels' I3 into boreill.` By pressingdisc 23 `,inward and then releasing it one or more pumping movements `of `piston 2 ,may be., eiected,` during each'4 of which a predetermined quantity of dentiiriceisdorced through the dischargetubeintosump 32. Each The embedded end ofthe tube oomriiunioates i with a sump 32 extending lengthwise of the brush head between marginali rows 33fof;bristles.` It will `be noted in` Figure 3 that; the bristles are inclinedfrom the` edges ofthe brush head `centrally toward each other so that their tipsare interwoven or intermeshed for a substantial portion lof their length. Infact the innerbristles yof theirows may mesh down to their central portions, so that a dense arch of interspersed bristles spansthesump.`

The back of the brush heady `30V preferablyis rounded in --the manner shown'` in Figure 3, and is disposed with relation'to the handleso` that thetcentral` portion of the brush back is Vcollinear `with an element extended of the frusto-conical handle on the correspondingside. tAt least the' tip `end of the brushhead should not project radially beyond suchielement of the `handle extended.` When the brush-is placed `onaiiat sur-` Y face with the back of the head down as i-nFigure `2, it will `maintain ,this position despite its `rounded contour. If the brushshould be turned in being laid on a nat surface, partially or` wholly on its side, as`in Figure 1, onlythe larger `end Y of the handle will contact thesurface and the remainder offthe handle will be raisedclear of it. The brush will thus be suspendedbetween f the `zonesof surface contact, oneynear each end,

and its` center of gravity willv befraised above the position assumed when` the brush is lying with the bristles upright. The weight of the brush will therefore roll it to bring all the handle into contact with the surface, as it is in Figure "2, when the center of gravity will be in thelowest ,possible position. To produce suchlstability of the `brush with the bristles upright it .is not necessary, of course, that the handle be shaped to touch along its entire length in that position, but this construction provides a handle of larg` estoapaoity with the most desirable shape. V.it

ismerely required that the center of `gravity be i nearest the brushiback contact line.` l e In. using my toothbrushit `may be assumed that a reservoir handle filled `with `liquiddentitrice has been purchased. The, aperture inend 2` has been screwed. Holding the` handle with the smaller end projecting upward, disc `23 is now rotated to unscrew` plunger `2 from the threaded rod.` This rod is then, screwed out of the end wou ||,and init-space tube 3 of the brush head is` screwed in.` If thebrushis not to be used immediately plunger 2 maybe screwed on the tube end projecting into the reservoirby pressing inwardly on and rotating `button as When itis desired to usethe e held in a generally horizontal positionand button 23 `is turned in a direction torelease plunger 2-fr0`m tubef3. 1 Immediately `spring 24 forces the button, rod 2U, and .plunger` outward Ainto the toothbrush, it is i `wall ll in such case will be plug-ged by a solid f rod projecting through it onto which plunger time buttonv 23 isreleased, so `that plunger,2 is retracted by spring 24|,` air issucked intoithe reservoir through tube 3 toreplace the @dentifrice which has beengexpelled.-...When the desired `quantity of liquid has thus ubeen delivered to sump 32 button 23 is again pressed inward .ship to the handle, as previously explained, the

force of gravity will cause it to roll into the position shown in Figures 2 and 3,in which attitude it will `remain indefinitely. The liquid in the sump therefore cannot be spilled, as would be the case with` a normal brush-which tends to rollfonto its side. Moreover, the Vbristles are thus retained out ofcontact with the supporting surface` so by it.

i i When the brush is picked up and invertedjfor use the dentifricejdoes` not-spill from the sump `through a space between the bristles because of their inward inclination Vwhich causes them. to intermesh. Instead even the dentifrice falling midway between the rows of; bristle roots-strikes their central portionsV and ilows thence toward their tips. .Sincel the sumpis of substantially uniform depth throughout the length of the head, andbecause of the interwoven disposition of the bristles, they will all be saturated substantially uniformly, and the dentrifricewill vthusbe Carried on the tips of the bristles to the` teeth with the least possible waste. At `all times other than during the dispensing operation the liquid will be tightly sealed within the handle reservoir, being closed at one end by the` threaded engagement of the tube 3 in the wall Il, whichtube is capped by the plunger 2, and at the other end by the packing disozs encircling rod 2n and'by` the pressed or adhesive l1it,`or threaded connection between plug 22 and the handle;

. Thus liquid can be dispensed from the reservoir at the time and in the quantity desired,`and the dispensing `action can `be performed accurately and conveniently while the `brush is in a horizontal position. No shaking of the brush is necessary,` so that thedentrifrice delivered will not "be spattered about;

In Figure8 the construction of ytheuha'ndle and f dispensing mechanism is the same as previously described, except that theclipiZl'fwhich is of course optional, has` been omitted, `Instead of a Ntoothbrush head being `applied to `the handle,

however, an `oilingv spout-.4 having a threaded tubular projection 40 is shown; 'I'he-dischargeftip 14| ofthe spout is` threaded externally for attachment of abrushhead, but it will be evident that if the implement is to Abeused for oiling purposes onlythese :threads may beomitted. Thedispensing, action isgf ofcourse,A precisely the same that they will not be contaminated discharged 'beingoil instead of dentfricep "In,

oil-ing, howeventhehandle 'will normally beheld with the spout inclined ldownward/so thatthe' oil may' drip from its tip ontolthepart toberoiled, insteadl of the handle being heldilevel as in nlling the toothbrush sump; 'The control afforded-b57 my dispensing mechanism enables one orfadozen dropsof oil tobe applied'rapidly or slowly,depending upon the number 'and lengthl'of strokes made by the plungen i.

` Figure `9 illustrates the spout 4 used as a support for' one type of brush head 5,which may be screwed; onto the tip 4l. 'Suchheadfis apertured for delivery of liquid flowing through the spout to the roots of the bristles.- Obviously, the

head might be secured removably orpermanently` to the spout otherwise than by a threaded oonnection. The brush may be used 'either ldry or saturated with cleaning fluid as a'cleaning brush, saturated with oil as an oilingbrusn,- or saturated with paint as a paint or lettering brush, depending upon the type of liquid in thehandle reservoir. Moreover, the shape ofthe' brush head, circularor elongated,'its size, and thev length, number and texture ofthe bristles bil may be selected according to the purpose vfor which the brush is to be usedj,

Figures and 1l, illustrate a lspecial type oi cleaning and oilng brushhaving anr elongated U head (iy which is disposed at an angle of about to the handle I. As inthe brush ofFigure 9, a bore is provided through the headV so that liquid may flow from the spout 4 to the bristles eil. The angular 'disposition of thev head with `respect to the handle makes this 1 brush particularly well suited for cleaning typewriters.

A convenientl form in which 'they principle of my invention maybe incorporated in a' shaving brush is'shownin Figures l2 to 16;, inclusive.' In this modicationthe handle 'l is not tapered, but

is cylindrical throughout. Preferably it alsdis' made of transparent plastic material. -Thereservoir, as'before, has two portions, one Ibeing a bore l0 vadjacent to the brush, of relatively small diametenand the other 1| being of muchV larger diameter and constituting the reservoir proper; The bristles l2 are secured in the end of 'the handle, preferably being s et in rubber material l 13 in theconventional mannen A tube 'M affords communication from the Lhollow handle to the central portion of the bristle group, itsk reservoir end projecting intoy the bore 'lll' and being threaded externally. As in the constructionpreviously described, a plunger lis received looselyy within Athe bore l0, and hasa cavity in its surface' adjacent to the tube M'Whieh is threaded internally complemental to the' tube thread. rThe plunger is carriedby one 'end of rod'jl'which has a' disc or button l1 integral'withfits opposite "end-for effecting plunger reciprocatio-n. @The opposite end of the handle is closed by' a pluglthreaded into it, and this plug is provided with `a guide collar, Apacking washer, vand operating spring which function in the same manner as the's'iinilar v structure described above. f

`It will befnoted that because borrel! is straight instead of being tapered'an appreciably 'greater difference in diameter occurs at the junction'of the'bores 1E! and Il thanl in thefoth'ertypeof-ccnstruction. Instead 'of providingribs tov guide plunger 'l5 'after it isretracted from the Abore 'l il, therefore,l a second plunger or'piston. 19 is" fsecured to rod'l ina locationisuch that; :when the 'plunger 15 i'sin capping"p'osition'plunger 'i9`is This larger plunger iits, quite loosely in bore 'll so that while being resilientlyt urged outward the i liquid shaving soap ywill flow around it into the space between the two plungers. As the plungers are then conjointly` forcedinwardly by manual pressure on'button 1l plunger 'ES forces the liquid around plunger l5 even during its inward movement, thus supplementing' the action of the smaller plunger inf expelling'liquid through tube y 14 into the bristle mass: 'This cumulative action is particularly valuable when a relatively viscous, sluggishly flowing..r liquid is beingV dispensed. After a sufcientfquantity of soap has been forced through tube 'M button 11 isv pressed inwardly and rotated, to screw the plunger. onto the deliv- 'ery tube to seal the reservoir while the brush is in use.

I claim: 1. A fountainv implement, comprising a hollow handle constitutingy a reservoir for liquid and having a dispensing passage leading therefrom narrower in width than the reservoir, aplunger received within the handle reservoir, means operable to move said-1 plunger from the reservoir through said narrowerl dispensing passage, to force-a charge of liquid therethrough fand thereafter to eiect a positive seal of said dispensing passage thereby, and holding means within said narrowerv dispensing passage interengageable with said plunger by rotation, of said plunger moving means, to restrain lengthwise movement of said plunger moving meansand thus'to maintain said plunger in sealing position.

' 2. A fountain implement comprising a dispensing head, a hollow handle connected to said head, constituting a reservoir for2 liquid, and having a passage' affording communication between the handle reservoir andsaid dispensing head, plunger means received yin thehandle reservoir, anda spring normally urging said plunger means away from said. passage, said plunger being reciprocable toward said head in opposition to said spring" to force liquid from the handle reservoir into such passage and in its limiting position toward said head being adapted to seal the passage positive1y,iand said handle and plunger means being complementally threaded for interengagement by rotation ofy said plunger means in such limiting position, thereby to retain the-plungerin such passage sealing position and to maintain said spring in stressed condition. i c

3. A fountain implement comprising a dispensing head, ahollow handle connected to saidhead,

constituting a reservoir for liquid, andI having a passage affording communication between the handle'reservoir and said dispensing head, plungermeans rreceived in the handler-reservoir, and a spring normally urging said-'plungermeans away from 'said passage, said plunger being reciprocable'toward said head in opposition to said spring toforce liquid from thev handle` reservoir into `such passage and in its limiting position toward said head being adapted to seal the passage positively, and said handle and plunger means being oomplementally constructed for interengagement by manipulation of said plunger means in such limiting position, thereby to retain the plunger in fsuch passage sealing position and to maintain said spring instressed condition. k

4. AV fountain implement, comprising a hollow handle constituting a. reservoir yfor liquid, Ia' dispensing head carried by one end thereoiiconduit means yaording communication between said handle reservoir andfsaid dispensing head, a

` plunger received in the `handle reservoir and t means, and rotatable tion to screw together said 'e duit means, thereby to positively seal said conduit reciprocable to i'orce liquid therefrom into said con-` duit means, said conduit meansand said plunger being complementally threaded for interengagement to eiIect a positive seal oit.' said conduit means, a rod extending lengthwise through the handle, projecting` from the end thereof remote means, to retain said rod in" its inner position,

plunger and said con-` and to maintain said spring in stressed condition. e

5. A toothbrush, comprising a head having a curved back, and a tapered handle secured to y said head in alignment therewithand having a curved surface on the side thereof corresponding to the back of said head, ythe radius of curvature of such surface being greatest at the end remote fromA said head and considerably greater than the-radius of curvature of every portion of the head back, the remainder of the head and handle being constructed and arranged so that the center of gravity of the toothbrush as a Whole is closer to the line of head and handle supporting contact along the centeroi` the curved head back than to any other line oi head and handle supportingcontact. i y e l JULIAN H. BAIR. 

